Can’t seem to get the cover off the air box for a filter replacement. Released the 3 spring clips outboard and 1 inboard, but cover does not move. What am I missing? Forum search feature gave me no joy…

 

There are three, IIRC, on the side nearest the fender. And one in the rear and another on the side nearest the engine. So, 5 total.

 

FOUR total in OEM configuration but many leave the one 'hidden' under the intake tube unfastened.
PULL HARDER?

 

Hi,
since I changed the air filter last week: There are two or three visible clips near the fender. Then there's another clip towards the radiator and one on the left under the air intake hose. Just use a flashlight. I simply removed the entire mass airflow sensor hose all the way to the throttle body. There are only two screws at the throttle body to remove it. That makes everything very easy, including closing the air filter cover again.

Regards, Willi

 

Good advice and exactly what I do .... but, as you say, whatever you do you must unclip the clip which is hidden under the intake hose unless, as suggested above, it has been left unclipped which is presumably not the case with the OP.

I use a long pick which has a right-angled hook on the end of it to hook around the clip and pull it down / flick it up.

Richard

 

Much easier to change the air filter if you first remove the air box. Just one 10mm bolt holds it in place....

 

two rubber grommets also hold it from the bottom.

removing the whole box also requires fiddling with the air intake snorkel.

 

What's the part number for the filter?

 

don't know, but Malhe or Mann both make good quality ones, but not as cheap as others on Amazon. I’ve used them both.

https://a.co/d/02GKyWMn


https://a.co/d/0i8Cgq8j

 

Thanks for your helpful responses. I can confirm there are five spring clips that secure the top of the air box containing the air filter. Three are on the fender side, one on the front inside, and one on the rear inside. I was able to release all and check the filter which did not need replacement after all. I did keep the rear inside clip undone as it is difficult to reach.

 

Maybe I need to open the bonnet and look at the housing.
Just years and years of hum-drum routine maintenance you take for granted what you think you see.

 

Considering the penny pinching ways of all car manufacturers, I don’t see Jaguar spending an extra penny to put in more latches than were necessary. The latch under the intake tube may be hard to reach, but that reason for leaving it unfastened seems thin to me.

take the extra minute and remove the intake tube and then have unfettered access to that pesky critter.

Z

 

It's not that difficult to reach, surely? I've flicked it open and shut many times over the years with a long screwdriver or similar, yesterday being the most recent.
I've worked on many cars which make air filter removal a much bigger hassle than on the XK8.

Richard

 

It’s not like they didn’t make other things also difficult to access. Jaguar had to justify the substantial $70K+ USD price tag for their newest offering somehow. So some bloke said, “Hey, let’s just add an extra spring clip to the air box!”

 

Everyone has their own comfort zone.